Monothelitism — What is it?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Monothelitism, originating around 629 A.D., claimed that Jesus had two natures but only one will. This view was rejected at the Third Council of Constantinople, which affirmed dyothelitism, the belief that Jesus possesses two wills—divine and human.

The Bible teaches that Jesus is fully human and fully divine, which includes both a human will and a divine will (John 1:1; Hebrews 4:15). For example, in Luke 22:42, Jesus expresses a human will, distinct from the Father’s will, while submitting to God’s plan. In John 6:38, Jesus acknowledges that He came to do the Father’s will, reflecting His divine will. These passages, along with others (John 10:17–18), show that Jesus’s human and divine wills worked in harmony, affirming dyothelitism.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Isaiah 53:3–5: This prophecy speaks of the suffering servant, a messianic figure who endures suffering on behalf of humanity. It highlights the complexity of Jesus’s nature as both human and divine, as He fulfills God’s redemptive plan.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Luke 22:42: Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, expressing His human will by asking for the suffering to be removed, but ultimately, submitting to the Father’s will. This shows Jesus’s human will as distinct from, but obedient to, His divine mission.
• John 6:38: Jesus states that He came not to do His own will, but the will of the Father. This highlights the distinction between His human will, which could experience temptation and human desires, and His divine will, which was aligned perfectly with God’s plan.
• John 10:17–18: Jesus spoke of laying down His life and taking it up again by His own authority. This shows His divine will at work, in complete unity with the Father’s will, while His human will had to endure the suffering that came with this act.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Monothelitism’s rejection in the Church emphasizes the importance of recognizing Jesus as both fully human and fully divine, with two wills working in harmony. For Christians, this means acknowledging that Jesus understands our struggles through His human will, while His divine will perfectly accomplishes God’s redemptive plan. His dual nature ensures He is the perfect mediator who bridges humanity and divinity, offering salvation through His unique nature.

UNDERSTAND

• Monothelitism claims that Jesus has two natures (human and divine) but only one will.
• Monothelitism was condemned at the Third Council of Constantinople, emphasizing Jesus’s dual wills.
• Scripture supports dyothelitism, which asserts that Jesus possesses both a human and divine will.

REFLECT

• How does understanding Jesus’s dual nature as both fully human and fully divine impact your view of His ability to relate to your struggles and temptations?
• How do you see the distinction between Jesus's human will and divine will influencing your understanding of obedience and submission to God’s plans in your life?
• How does Jesus’s example in the Garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:42) inspire you to navigate when you are torn between two desires or paths?

ENGAGE

• What significance does rejecting monothelitism have for our faith today?
• How do the biblical passages supporting dyothelitism, like John 6:38 and Hebrews 4:15, enhance our understanding of Jesus's role as our mediator?
• In what ways does recognizing Jesus’s dual wills enrich our understanding of God's redemptive plan throughout history? How might this inform our discussions about faith and salvation?